Kasauli Rhythm & Blues Festival, 2018

I started this year with an impromptu trip to Mcleodganj and didn't think that the hills will call me back so soon. Not complaining. My recent visit to Kasauli to attend Genesis Foundation's Rhythm and Blues Festival was an extremely enriching experience in more ways than one. Not only did I enjoy great music, but also got to share gratitude-inducing sunsets with some really lovely people.

To give you a quick idea, the KRBF happens every year at the gorgeous Baikunth Resort in Kasauli. The two day festival brings together music lovers and established + upcoming musical talent—and all for a good cause. The proceeds from the festival go towards the treatment of critically ill, under privileged children suffering with heart disorders. This time round, in its 7th edition, the lineup included Rabbi Shergill, Suraj Jagan, Parvaaz, Unplugged, When Chai Met Toast and Thermal & A Quarter. It was so exciting to see this otherwise quiet hill station come to life with one great performance after another and the constant cheering from the crowd. Add to it delicious food and great alcohol {I swear I didn't plan on having THAT many sangrias}, which is all included in the two-day pass.

Though its pricing is on the higher end, the pass covers all that you will need, except travel and accommodation. For the latter, I would recommend this little place called Hills Pride Resort that offers good, clean rooms at really pocket-friendly prices. I was happy with the view from my room and thoroughly enjoyed the sun in their well-maintained garden area. Moreover, it is only a 10 minute drive from the event venue.

In my experience, Kasauli is actually one of the easiest hill stations to get to from Delhi. By car, it takes about 8 hours to reach here via Chandigarh. The drive is super smooth and you can totally make a fun road trip out of it--I know you're ALREADY thinking about stopping for hot paranthas at Murthal. However, road journeys are kinda tiring for me and I'd prefer the train any day. The Kalka Shatabdi leaves around 7am everyday and gets you to Kalka in under 4.5 hours. Kasauli is another 45 minutes from the Kalka Railway Station, which you can easily cover by a local taxi. I'd suggest you book your hotel and train tickets at least a month in advance because obviously, they get sold out sooner during the festival.

Your trip does not have to be limited to the event itself. There's plenty of time to roam around during the day as the performances only begin after 5pm. A stroll on the bustling mall road is a must. DO NOT FORGET to indulge in some street-style momos while you're at it. You'll also spot several vintage cottages and colonial-style government buildings, in case you're interested...I personally heavily dig this kinda Instagram-worthy shiz. There are several small cafes in Kasauli but I only had time for one: Hangout Rooftop Bar {great ambience but terribly average food}.

If you have a couple of hours to spare on your way back to Delhi, stop over at Timber Trail, the luxury resort that is only accessible via cable car. It is a beautiful property, the views are absolutely gorgeous and contrary to my initial belief, it's definitely worth a visit. My personal recommendation—enjoy a beer {or three} at their terrace restaurant and click pro-level silhouettes against the setting sun.

Kasauli Rhythm and Blues is so much more than a music festival. It is rather a happy celebration of art, humanity and the sheer beauty of nature. It will definitely be a weekend I'll always remember.

So now that you know everything, keep an eye out on their social pages for the next edition or click here for more information. Feel free to ask me anything else that you'd like, the easiest way is to drop an Instagram DM here.

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About me

Journalism graduate with a heart that wants to travel. Instagram addict. Aspiring Twitter celeb. Blogger, not a critic. Professional street shopper. Foodie on a budget. Fascinated by everything shiny. Dreamer. Something in making. For thoughts, feedback or collaborations, write to mahima.agarwal5@gmail.com